Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-30
AN OLD LANDMARK TO GO.
The Old Building OF the Bank OF Co.
lumbia In West Washington and its
History.

The work OF improvement Is fast celebrating
the old landmarks of the city. Situated on the
north side Of NJ street, formerly Bridge street,
West Washington, on an eminence that makes II
conspicuous stands the old building known as the
Bank OF Columbia The building was erected
nearly Q century ago, to accommodate the large
and Increasing business of the Columbia Banking
Company. It cost a12O, 600, with additions after
ward Of 10000 expended By Mr.. Sawyer. over
LOCO 900 OF bricks were used in its construction.
A solid stone wall 2 feet In thickness and II feet
high surrounds the entire grounds. The square on
which the bank building stands has frontage on
street OF 15O feet, running back TO Prospect ave-
nue. Q depth Of 24O feet. The whole building is
heated oy a large automatic furnace. The chande-
tiers are Of antique and magnificent pattern, the
globes and shades being OF cut glass, embellished
with gold, representing scenes and Incidents con-
nected With the chiyalry OF the sixteenth GEN.
tury The style OF architecture Of the building is
similar TO that OF the Lee mansion at Arlington Va
A grand view Is had from the portico. Below Is 70
be seen the winding Potomac, dotted here and
there with white sails, and far down the river the
smoke arising from the steamers as they ply from
Washington TO distant points on the river. To the
right Is to be seen Arlington Heights with the
ume-honored mansion OF the Lees, and the sur
rounding cemetery, Where rest the honored dead OF
Tar distant horizon are the faint outlines OF the
Blue Ridge Mountains. To the east and south is
spread out like beautiful painting the city OF
the sunlight the Washington Monument, the
White House, and other public buildings The
Bank OF Columbia had its days OF prosperity and
success, and then came crash, and the institu-
ton was q thing OF the past, and the vaults that
once resounded with the cl1nk OF gold and silver
are now dark and empty. IL would appear that
the banking institutions OF We Oiden time were
controlled by officers who were 1mbued with spec
ulative fancies, pretty much the same as has been
charged In modern instances. This old Institution
was In very healthy, financial condition
whenit moved into their new building. This specu-
lattve mania resulted in the downfall OF the old
bank ITS affairs were settled by the Union
Bank. now long out OF existence.
After the removal and closing up OF the bank IL
vas bought and occupied by Prof. Slack as an
academy, where the higher branches OF learning
were taught. IL was then purchased from Prof.
Slack by Geo. Poe, gentleman OF large means,
who had the vaults removed and converted the
building into a handsome residence. Surrounded
as IL IS by quite variety OF trees, shrubs and
evergreenS, IL IS most delightful place FOR health
and beautiful scenery. The present owner, Mr..
H. Jarbo, purchased the place from Mrs Sawyer,
and proposes 10 remove the old building and have
the property SubCivided SO the old building that
has stood so many years as a landmark Is 10 fall
Victim 70 the invading pick and AK or modern i'm
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